Tape moistener



Sept. 15, 1931. w. R. GREENLEE TAPE MOISTENER Filed Aug. 15, 1928 ZI/altr 1Q. Greenl ee.

Patented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER R. GREENLEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PURITAN MALT EXTRACT (10., A GOPARTNERSHIP CONSISTING 013 JOSEPH E. MAG-1\TU$, ALBERT MAGNUS, JR., AND AUGUST C. MAGNUS; AND ALBERT MAGNUS, JIL, AND JOSEPH E. MAGNUS, TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ALBERT MAGNUS, SIR, DECEASED, ALL OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS TAPE MOISTENER Application filed August 15, 1928. Serial No. 299,726.

This invention relates to improvements in a tape moistener, and more particularly to a device used for the application of a suitable liquid to the adhesive side of a strip of tape or the like commonly used to aid in the wrapping of packages, although the device has many and varied uses as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various devices have been developed for moistening the adhesive side of tape or the like, but these devices have, in most instances, proven objectionable, in that they incorporated metallic parts which in time will become oxidized, and frequently the metallic bearing surfaces required lubrication by the liquid in the device or they would produce unwelcome squeeky noises. Moreover, these formerly known devices of this character did not sufficiently retain the liquid not carried off by the tape, within the liquid chamber but permitted the liquid to splash over various other parts of the device. Further, devices of this type heretofore in use have all been highly objectionable due to the comparatively large expense necessitated in their manufacture.

The present invention has been designed to overcome the above noted defects and objections in the provision of a tape moistening device, the entire body of which is formed in one piece of rustless material.

The invention also seeks to provide a tape moistener or the like, having a body portion entirely free from contacting metallic elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape moistener incorporating a one-piece body secured to a base portion by a single element.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tape moistener or the like constructed in such a manner as to prevent liquid from splashing over the outer sur-' face thereof and from accumulating in the tape pocket of the device.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tape moistener or the like which is very durable and yet may be manufactured extremely economically.

While some of the more salient features and characteristics of a device embodying the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures.

The invention includes these and other features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described'and shown in a preferred form in the drawings, as more particularly indicated by the claims.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a device embodying principles of the present invention. v

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical section, with parts inelevation, of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the left hand portion of the same as shown in Figure 2. Figure A is a vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line IVIV of Figure 3.

As shown in the drawings:

The structure arbitrarily selected to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention includes a base 1, preferably a metallic casting to establish stability in the device as a whole, and which is provided thereon with an integral upwardly extending flange 2 to provide a seat therein for a body 3.

The body 3 is molded or formed in a single piece from a non-rustable compound preferably a product of phenolic or alcoholic condensation. The body 3 is provided with an upper annular flange 4 over the rear portion thereof for the purposes of appearance, and within the flanged portion 4 is provided a downwardly extending recess to form an arcuate tape pocket 5 which effectively houses a roll of tape 6 without the aid of any further supporting means for the said tape. At the opposite end thereof the body 3 is formed so as to provide a liquid chamber 7 therein which, when in use, contains liquid 8 for application to the under or adhesive side of the tape 6.

Between the chamber 7 and pocket 5, a bridge 9, also integral with the body 3, is disposed, and supported by the inner wall 10 of the chamber 7 and the arcuate wall 11 of the pocket 5. The bridge 9 is provided with a plurality of transverse grooves 12 and at its outer terminus with an outwardly extending lip 13 for purposes that will later appear. The bridge is also provided with a threaded aperture adjacent the inner end thereof for the reception of a bolt 14 which passes through an aperture in the base 1 and provides the only means necessary for the present invention for securing the entire body 3 firmly to the base 1.

Disposed adjacent the forward portion of the bridge just to the rear of the lip 13, is a tape cutter 15, preferably formed from a single strip, the ends of which are bent around the flange 4 on the body 3 to firmly secure the cutter thereto.

In the present invention, the means for ap plying the liquid 8 to the under side of the tape 6, comprises a rotatable wheel 16 formed in one piece from material the same as or similar to that from which the body 3 is formed. The wheel has therein an integral hub 17 through which the shaft 18 projects to rotatably seat at each end thereof, in slots 19 in the side walls of the chamber 71 ,VVhen the device is in operation, the tape passes in a continuous strip, from the pocket 5, over the bridge 9, underneath the cutter 15, over the lip 13, and over the wheel 16 where it becomes moistened by contact with the outer surface of the wheel. When a sufiicient length of tape has been moistened the length is cut off by merely pulling it upwardly against the edge of the cutter 15. When it is next desired to moisten a length of tape, pressure is exerted upon that portion of the tape lying on the bridge 9, the grooves 12 providing a frictional surface to aid the ready movement of the tape, and the lip 13 serving to guide the tape upwardly so that it will be pasesd over the wheel 16. It should be herein noted that the inner wall 10 of the chamber 7 has a concave front face 20 which, aided by the lip 13, prevents liquid expelled from the surface of the wheel due to centrifugal force, from splashing upon the bridge 9. When the tape is elevated for contact with the cutter 15, a small quantity of liquid will, in all probability, run down the under surface of the tape, and this liquid will be collected in the grooves 12 which prevent the liquid from entering the tape pocket 5. It will be apparent, of course, that upwardly extending lugs and a center shaft may be used to mount a roll of tape 6, but the pocket 5 is apparently the most convenient means for mounting the tape roll, and it is to be understood that where the term tape pocket is used herein and in the appended claims, the same is to be construed as including any equivalent structure, the same as are the other terms in the claims.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a tape moistener which is extremely simple in construction, easily assembled or dismantled, very durable, and which may be very economically manufactured.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a body having a liquid chamber and a tape pocket therein, a bridge between said chamber and said pocket, and rotatable means in said chamber for applying liquid therefrom to tape passing thereby, the inner wall of said chamber being inclined upwardly to ward said means to withhold from said bridge the liquid expelled by said means.

2. In a device of the character described, a body having a liquid chamber and a tape pocket therein, a bridge between said chamber and said pocket, rotatable means for applying liquid from said chamber to tape from said pocket, the inner wall of said chamber overhanging the liquid to withhold liquid expelled from said means from said bridge, and a lip on said bridge to augment said concave wall and guide said tape.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

IVALTER R. GREENLEE. 

